Lawmakers in Virginia will have an opportunity next year to decide whether to make it easier for local governments to remove Confederate monuments, to clarify the law to make it more difficult to do so, or to leave the law as it is.

Statewide elections in November could help determine if the law changes.

HILLSVILLE — Churches in Carroll County united last week to speak out against racism and the rise of white supremacist groups, in the wake of a rally in Charlottesville that broke into violence, leaving one woman dead.

Hillsville Christian Church hosted a “Prayer Vigil for Peace and Justice” on Aug. 17, led by the Rev. Amanda Hatfield Moore.

INDEPENDENCE – More citizens attended the Grayson County School Board’s Aug. 14 meeting in a continuing expression of support of former coach Charles Campbell.

Campbell, a long-time eighth grade head baseball coach, and a full-time assistant with the varsity team for the first time this past spring, was not renewed as the assistant varsity baseball coach earlier this year. During the school board’s June meeting, Campbell was relieved of his duties with the varsity with a 4-1 vote from the board.

Rings in their noses
I cannot believe employers allow employees to wear earrings in their nose and eyebrows and lips and work with the public. I have seen it multiple times. Disgusting. I won’t be going back there. Yes, these people have the right to express themselves but they should only be allowed to do it on their own time. When they are at work, they need to look presentable. I am a human resources manager and we have rules. Everyone should.Editor’s note: Are pierced ears still OK?

Cassidy “Cassie” Lynne Marshall turned 6 on July 23. Her birthday was celebrated with a Peppa Pig party. She is the daughter of Chrissy Marshall and the late Joseph Marshall.

Her big sister is Izzie Marshall and her little brother is Briley Marshall. Her grandparents are Randy Bell and the late Kim Bell, and Dennis and Opie Marshall. Her great-grandparents are M.C. Bell and the late Irene Bell, the late Verna Liddle, O’Neal and O’Needa Terry, and the late Virgil and Patty Marshall.

Editor’s Note: This information is taken from open court records and is a matter of public record. The listings are complete.
The newspaper, as a matter of fairness, will not honor requests to omit any listing.
For additional information on this column or questions, call 236-5178, ext. 213.

Marriages

These marriages were recorded in March in the office of Gerald Goad, clerk of the Carroll County Circuit Court, Hillsville:
Jerry Lee Galyean, 46, of Mount Airy, N.C., and Amanda Lee Allen, 37, of Ararat.

Hundreds of students filled the football field and bleachers at Galax High School on Monday to view the solar eclipse, with safety glasses provided by Virginia State Parks.

Over the stadium’s PA system, science teachers gave updates as the moon passed in front of the sun and the afternoon turned dark. Galax was not in the path of totality, but experienced about a 90 percent eclipse.

This was the first eclipse visible all across the United States in nearly 100 years, and the last visible in the Twin Counties for a long time.